Tuesday, January 1, 2013

New Year's Resolutions

Happy New Year to all of you and may 2013 bring you
happiness, good fortune and health. While you are thinking about those New Year’s
Resolutions, let’s run through the most important ones you can make for your
foot health.

5) When you finish taking a shower and washing those little
toes, it is very important that you dry between your toes with your towel.
Bacteria and fungus likes to hide and grow in these little dark spaces and
serves as the source of most athlete’s foot. If the skin between your toes is
looking white like what your fingers look like after being in the pool for a
long time, this is a sign that you are not drying your skin enough.

4) Wearing shoes outside. Shoes serve as a protective
barrier between you and the great outdoors. Think of how many times you have
removed gravel, sticks or nails fromyour shoes. If you had not been wearing them, guess where those sharp
objects would be? In your foot! So, do yourself and your feet a big favor and
wear some shoes before you head outside.

3) Moisturizing your dry skin on your feet will prevent
cracking and open sores. Make sure that you aren’t putting the lotion between
your toes though because that can lead to the bacteria and fungus growing
between your toes. If you are diabetic, you may start to notice that your skin
is getting drier due to poor blood circulation. The lotion will help, but make
sure you see your podiatrist so they can determine if you need to see a
specialist for blood flow.

2) When you trim your toe nails make sure you cut a straight
line across them. By doing this, it will help prevent ingrown toenails from
forming. However, if you do notice your toe is sore or red and warm around a
nail then it is time to see your podiatrist. You need to have it checked out
for infection and have that annoying nail removed to take away the pain.

1) The one we all hate the most. Lose weight. Being
overweight leads to all kinds of medical issues including diabetes, excess
pressure on your feet that can lead to the overstretching of ligaments and
tendons and eventual collapse of the arch of your foot. So, take small steps to
get you on the right track to eating healthy and exercising and your body will
thank you well past 2013.

If during this year you do have any foot pain or
podiatric issues, Dr. Wachtel would be more than happy to see you and help your
get back up on your feet. Our offices serve the Dracut and North Reading,
Massachusetts areas. We are also happy to announce our Methuen and North
Andover offices located at 451 Andover St. Suite 300, North Andover MA 01845 and
87 Jackson St, Methuen, MA 01835.